Common diseases/Conditions Flashcards
UTI
Signs and symptoms: low urine output, offensive smelling urine, confusion
Diagnosis: Dipstick test, Protein +++/MSU/BT
recognising a deteriorating situation: temp, HTN, reduced urine output confusion, change or behaviour, sepsis
Infected wound
Signs and symptoms: pus, pimple, scab, erythema, pain, swelling, temp
Diagnosis: Take a swab, sample
Treatment: ABX
Recognising a deteriorating situation: worsening symptoms, further infection, sepsis
Chest infection
Signs and symptoms: chesty cough, phlegm, wheezing/dyspnoea, chest pain, temp, arching muscles, fatigue/ha
Diagnosis: BT, CXR, sputum
Recognising deteriorating situation: worsening symptoms, more than 3 wks, blood stained mucus, coughing up blood.
Falls
Initial care immediate after fall:
- check pt is responsive and for any further injuries.
Signs to look out for following the fall: confusion, dizziness, signs of concussion, loss of consciousness.
Preventing further falls: find what cause the fall e.g. rug and remove them.
Cancer/EoL
Signs and symptoms: coughing, chest pain, breathlessness, changes in bowel habits, bloating bleeding lumps, moles, unexplained weight loss, tummy/back pain, indigestion, heartburn, itchy/yellow skin, fatigue and feeling unwell.
Diagnosis: Biopsies, scans, bt
Recognising deteriorating situation: weakening, exhaustion, inability to complete ADLs
Stroke
Signs and symptoms: begin suddenly - face drooping, not able to lift both arms/weakness, slurred speech.
Diagnosis: scans (CT/MRI), physical tests, BT (HDL/BM), pulse for arrhythmia, heart and blood vessel test, bp.
Recognising deteriorating situation: EoL/ weakness, paralysis, numbness/burning/tingling,
Diabetes
Type 1 - where the pancreas doesn’t produce any insulin
Type 2 - where the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or the body’s cells don’t react to insulin.
Signs and symptoms: thirst, urinating frequently, fatigue, weight loss, slow healing, thrush and/or blurred vision.
Diagnosis: urinalysis (Glucose and ketones) blood glucose testing 4-7mmol/lab results, blood/urine tests
Treatments:
DM1-insulin
DM2- healthy lifestyle, insulin/meds
Side effects:
- Retinopathy
- Foot problems
- MI/CVA
- Nephropathy
- Nerve damage
- Gum disease/mouth
Recognising deteriorating situation: Hypo/hypers, Hyperosmolar Hyperglycaemic State (HHS), DKA
Chronic airways - COPD
Signs and symptoms: breathlessness, persistent/chesty cough, phlegm, frequent chest infections, persistent wheezing.
Diagnosis: Spirometry, CXR, BT, ECG, echo, ultrasound, peak flow, o2, CT, phlegm sample.
Recognising deteriorating situation: worsening symptoms/resp failure
Asthma
Signs and symptoms: wheezing, breathlessness, tight chest and coughing
Diagnosis: FeNO test (nitric oxide - inflammation), spirometry, peak flow test–> CXR/allergy tests
Recognising a deteriorating situation: asthma attacks, symptoms, exacerbation
Dementia
Signs and symptoms: memory loss, difficulty concentrating, difficulty in familiar daily tasks/following conversations, confusion and mood changes.
Diagnosis: Hx, GPCOG - GP assessment of cognition, mental ability tests, BT(LFT, kidney, thyroid, HbA1c, B12), urinalysis, brain scans, MRI, CT
Recognising a deteriorating situation: gradually symptoms get worse, frailty, impact on ADLs.
Parkinsons
Signs and symptoms: tremors, bradykinesia - resulting in shuffling/slow steps, muscle stiffness/rigidity, dystonia -muscle cramps, balance, incontinence, dizziness, hyperhidrosis, dysphasia, depression, anxiety, dementia
Diagnosis: Referral to specialist - geriatrics/neuro, Hx, GPCOG - GP assessment of cognition, mental ability tests, BT(LFT, kidney, thyroid, HbA1c, B12), urinalysis, brain scans, MRI, CT
Treatments: supportive therapies, physio, OT, SALT, Dietician, meds, surgery
Recognising a deteriorating situation: gradually symptoms worsen, frailty, impact on ADLs.
Post surgery
Signs and symptoms: Nausea and vomiting, sore throat, fatigue, thirst, constipation/flatulence, pain.
Diagnosis:
Recognising a deteriorating pt: Pain/swelling, skin being hot/discoloured, veins appearing larger than normal, subcutaneous emphysema
Fx NoF
Signs and symptoms: radiating pain to knee, inability to wt bear, shortening/rotation, pain, swelling
Diagnosis: positioning, XRAY, CT/MRI/bone scan-DEXA
Recognising deterioration: PE, OA, interruption of blood flow - avascular necrosis, poor mobility.
Sepsis
Signs and symptoms: unwell, not urinated in 12 hrs, vomiting unable to keep food down, pain/swelling around cut/wound, high/low temp
Diagnosis: urinalysis, stool sample, wound culture, resp secretion testing, BT
Recognising deterioration: confusion, slurred speech - not making sense, blue, grey, pale or blotchy skin, lips or tongue/palms/soles, non-blanching rash under glass, difficulty breathing, dyspnoea, breathing fast
MI
Signs and symptoms: chest pain, other pain radiating to arms L mainly, lightheaded/dizzy, sweating, SoB, nausea/vomiting, anxiety, coughing/wheezing. W- back jaw pain, nausea+vom, SoB
Diagnosis: ECG, acute cardiac care unit/ cardiac cath unit - cath lab for angio/cath, BT - troponin, CXR, Echo
Recognising deterioration: haemodynamic deterioration and sudden death, lack of o2 - starving the brain - irreversible neuro & necrosis.
